Picture courtesy of
Dr. Edward Arnold (Rutgers University)

Center for Molecular Biophysics
& Biophysical Chemistry
Rutgers University
610 Taylor Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854

Phone: 732/445-6376

Fax: 732/445-1493

Richard H. Ebright
Professor of Chemistry, Rutgers University
(732) 445-5179
Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Room 335

Our group is interested in the first step in gene expression: i.e., transcription. Our objectives are: (i) to understand the structural and mechanistic basis of transcription, (ii) to understand the structural and mechanistic basis of transcription activation, and (iii) to identify, characterize, and develop small-molecule inhibitors of bacterial transcription as antibacterial agents. We conduct research on both bacterial transcription (Escherichia coli RNA polymerase) and eukaryotic transcription (yeast and human RNA polymerase II). We use genetic, biochemical, biophysical, and single-molecule biophysical techniques, including photocrosslinking, affinity cleaving, proteolytic-protection, fluorescence-polarization, fluorescence-energy-transfer, and nanomanipulation techniques developed in this laboratory.